Agricultural machine



K. L. MAG EE Oct'. 8, 1946.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE 20, 1941 3 YSheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.

Oct.- 8, 1946.

K.L.MAGEE AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY @c @g 394 K. L. MAGEE 2,408,939

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed oct. 2o, 1941 3 sheets-sheet 3 4ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1946 AGRICULTURAL MACI-mWE Kenneth L. Magee, Burlington, Iowa, assignor to J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation Application October 20, 1941, Serial No. 415,732

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to agricultural machinery and more particularly to corn pickers, and an object of the invention is to generally improve the construction and operation of mechanisms of this class.

A further object of the invention is to improve the construction of corn pickers, particularly as regards the frame elements and adjusting expedients.

Further objects are to provide a new and improved tubular type frame for a corn picker; expediente for adjustably supporting the tubular frame; expedients for supporting a power cfr" mechanism from such a frame; expedients for connecting a draw bar to such a frame; an arrangement of an elevator in combination with the frame and drawbar, such that the elevator will maintain certain relations with the other parts when the latter are adjusted; and expedients for realizing the above objects.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specilication and annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a left side elevation of a machine with parts removed, illustrative of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame and draw bar, the parts characteristic of the corn picker being removed or broken away to avoid intel'- ference with the showing of the frame and draw bar parts.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken from the left in Fig. 2 just inside of the left wheel.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal axial section of a link member indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified construction of wagon hitch.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig, 1 but with parts omitted, also showing the modified construction of wagon hitch.

Similar reference characters have been applied to the same parts throughout the specification and various gures of the drawings.

As seen in Fig. 1, the machine illustrative of the invention is a corn picker having a snapping portion generally designated as Il), an elevator generally designated as II, a fan I2 for separating trash from the snapped ears and a hopper I3 for receiving ears from elevator II and conducting them to a discharge elevator generally designated as I 4. The parts so far described with the exception of elevator I4 are substantially conventional and well-known and should not need to be further described.

The various units of the corn picker are assembled on a frame element generally designated as I5, which is supported by wheels or other ground engaging elements as for example It, and a draw bar generally designated as Il is connected to frame I5 for propelling the machine and guiding and controlling it.

Frame i5 as more particularly shown in Fig. 2 comprises a pipe or tube element I8 which in the present instance extends transversely of the direstion of progress of the corn picker and has attached thereto, as will appear, stub axles I9 and 2d on which are suitably journaled wheels l-I Tube IS is thereby supported for movement over the ground and as will be apparent serves as the main foundation element for the other units of the corn picker.

Dilerent conditions require different heights of the machine above the ground and for this reason axles i9 and 29 are adjustably connected to tube I8, the structure associated with the two axles being identical, only one will be described. Axle 2B is welded or otherwise suitably xed in the present instance with a channel element ZI which extends transverse to the axle and substantially vertically. Channel 2l is engaged with a channel or other element 22 welded or otherwise suitably fixed to tube i8. As more particularly shown in Fig. 3, channel members 2l and 2i? are fixed together by suitable means as bolts 2li- 23, channel member 2| being provided with a plurality of holes 2li- 2d whereby it may be bolted to member 22 in various positions to give a height adjustment of tube I3 relatively to the ground.

As above stated the picking units and other I parts or units of the machine are secured to tubular element I8, and for this purpose plates or the like 25 and v26 are suitably xed with tube I3 as by welding, and to which in the present instance the snapping unit I@ and elevator unit lI and their connected parts are secured in any suitable manner not shown. Plates 2'! and 23 are also xed as by welding to tubular element I3 and support a gear box or transmission unit 29 constituting a part of a power take-oir drive generally designated as 3l). Thus it will be apparent that a plurality of machine units has been provided which are mounted in fixed positions on frame I5.

Draw bar Il, as particularly shown in :2, is connected with tube element I8 at spaced points by means providing for universal movement beby welding, support a bolt or the like33 on which.

is journaled a fitting 34 for rocking movement in a vertical plane. Fitting 34 has journaled therein a pin 35 fixed with draw bar I1. By virtue of this construction, tube I8 and the attached corn picker parts may be rocked in a vertical plane for adjusting purposes without interference from draw bar I1. In like manner, ears 36 and 31 are fixed with tube I8 spaced from above mentioned ears 3| and 32 and support a bolt 38 on which is journaled a fitting 39. Fitting 39 has journaled therein a pin 4I) which is fixed with a channel or similar member 4I fastened to draw bar I1 by bolts or the like 42-42. Draw bar I1 is generally triangular in shape, having a side 43 engaged with above mentioned pin 35 and a side 44 to which is bolted above mentioned channel member 4I. A plurality of holes 45-45 is provided for bolts 42. With bolts 42 removed, draw bar I1 can be swung laterally about pin 35 to change the degree of offset of the machine from a tractor or other drawing element connected with draw bar I1 at 46. Bolts 42 being replaced in the desired holes, a laterally rigid connection is afforded between draw bar I1 and tubular element I8.

A lever 41, Fig. 1 is provided for adjusting the position of the machine parts including tube I8, the lever being pivoted at 48 to draw bar I1 and cooperating with a quadrant 49, suitable or wellknown detent or latch mechanism indicated at 50 being provided for locking lever 41 at desired positions on quadrant 49. A link generally designated as I pivoted at 52 to lever 41 is also pivoted at 53 to an arm 54 of a bell crank pivoted at 55 to draw bar I1. An arm 56 of the bell crank is connected by a link 51 to an arm 53 rigidly connected in any suitable manner with above mentioned snapping unit I0. Since snapping unit I0, as above described, is rigidly fixed with tube I8, through the medium of plates 25 and 26, adjustment of lever 41 through bell crank 54 and the attached linkage, will cause rocking movement of tube I8 as well as the desired vertical adjustment of snapping unit I0.

To assist in supporting the Weight of snapping unit I0, a spring 59 is tensioned between arm 54 and an anchorage 60 in the present instance on draw bar I1. The tension of spring 59 will tend to raise snapping unit I0. In the present instance this tension is made sufficient to overcome the weight of snapping unit I9 and to raise it from the ground. Link 5I is made resiliently extensible so that snapping unit I0, although forced downwardly by link 5I against the tension of spring 59, may rise if it encounters an obstruction by effecting a lengthening of link 5I.

As seen in Fig. 4, link 5I in the present instance is made in the form of a tube 6I, having an ear portion 62 for pivotal attachment to lever 41 as above described, a pull rod 63 extending into the tube and having a washer or abutment 64 fixed therewith within tube 6I. Tube 6I has a cap 65 at the end opposite ear 62 and through which rod 63 is slidable, and a spring 66 is compressed between abutment 54 and cap 65 so as to tend to force rod G3 into tube 6I at all times. Rod 53 can thus be pulled out of tube 6I to a Substantial extent against the resistance of spring 66 by a force 'sufficient to overcome the'compression of the spring.

Discharge elevator I4, as particularly shown in Fig. 2, is pivotally supported from tubular element I8, A framework generally designated as 61 is extended rearwardly and in the present instance fixed with above mentioned plates 21 and 28 and, conveniently, beneath tube I8. Frame 61 includes rearwardly extending side elements 68 and 69, and a rear cross element 10, a pivot shaft 1I being journaled in bearings 12 and 13 supported respectively on members 68 and 69. Shaft 1I forms a pivotal support for above mentioned discharge elevator I4 and may conveniently also form the power input or drive shaft for said elevator, a sprocket 14 being fixed With shaft 1I and driving a chain 15, Fig. 1, carrying buckets 16 or the like in well-known manner. Elevator I4 being otherwise Well-known, no further description is considered to be necessary. Elevator I4 extends upwardly and rearwardly from its pivotal support on shaft 1I and may discharge into a Wagon 11 drawn behind the corn picker. Adjustment to accommodate the height of wagon 11 may be effected by swinging elevator I4 about shaft 1I, suitable means being provided as will appear.

For supporting elevator I4, a truss rod or the like 18 is pivoted to elevator I4 near the upper end thereof as at 19 and extends forwardly to a pivotal connection on the draw bar, in the present instance a pin or the like being connected to quadrant 49 and on which truss rod 18 is pivoted. A stable arrangement is thus provided by means of which elevator I4 may extend over wagon 11 in an overhanging relation. Truss rod 18 in the present instance has a flattened portion 18a provided with a series of holes 18b for reception of pivot 19 for effecting adjustment of the position of elevator I4.

By virtue of the fact that truss rod 19 is connected to draw rbar I1, which remains substantially stationary in a vertical direction because of its connection to the tractor, rocking movement of tubular frame I8 and the attached corn picker parts causes substantially no perceptible movement of the upper end 8I of elevator I4. This is so because pivot 1I is only a short distance from the center line of rocking movement of tube I8, namely axle 20, while pivot 19 at the outer end of elevator I4 is allowed no relative fore-and-aft movement because of its connection to draw bar I1. Consequently, the slight up and down movement of pivot 1I caused by rocking of tube I8 causes only a slight pivotal movement of elevator I4 about pivot 19. As will be apparent, the resulting movement of discharge end 8I of elevator I4 is negligible.

Above mentioned transverse element l0 of frame 61, Fig. 2, in the present instance is provided with an opening 62 which is engaged by a hook 83 or suitable fitting for connecting a wagon tongue 84. Opening 82 being substantially in direct line with portion 45 of draw bar I1, a direct straight line pull is obtained between the tractor and the attached Wagon.

Elevator I4 may be braced against the very considerable swaying action induced by travel over rough ground by means of a strut 85, Fig. 5, fixed to elevator I4 at 86 and pivoted at 81 to a strut 88, in the present instance fixed to and extending rearwardly from above mentioned plate 25. As indicated, pivot 81 is located substantially in alignment with above mentioned shaft 1I so that free pivotal movement of frame I8 is provided without binding or distortion of the parts.

As seen in Fig. 5, a modified form of wagon hitch comprises a frame, generally designated as 89 attached to a draw bar |19, in any well known manner as for ,example by welding, `generally similar to above described draw bar I1, a side member 90 engaging a. side member 44a of draw bar Ila, and preferably also a rear cross brace 9| of the draw bar lla. Member 90 extends downwardly and rearwardly beneath tubular element I3 and connects with a rear cross member 92. Cross member 92 connects also with a side member 93 which extends forwardly beneath tubular element I8 as indicated in Fig. 6, and connects with a side member 43a of draw bar Ila. Cross member 92 has an opening 94 in which may be engaged a hook or other suitable tting such as above mentioned hook 33. By means of this construction, the drag of the wagon is transmitted directly to draw bar lla and does not pass through any of .the corn picker structure. Furthermore, the rocking of tubular element I8 for adjusting purposes does not change the height of the wagon hitch above the ground. Also, the pull of the wagon does not inuence the adjustment of the machine by interfering with the rocking of tubular frame I8.

It is to be understood that various well-known mechanical expedients are contemplated as part of the illustrative machine and that connections from power take-off gear box 29 of well-known type will be provided to the various operative units of the corn picker. Since the latter form no part of the present invention, it is considered unnecessary to illustrate them.

The operation of the invention is thought to be clear from the .above description, and it is understood that the same is illustrative merely and is not to be taken as limiting the invention in any manner. What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United Statesy 1. In an agricultural machine, a rocking frame member, ground engaging units supporting the frame member, machine units connected with the frame member to be supported thereby and including an elevator pivotally connected with the frame member and a draw bar pivotally connected to the frame member for propelling the same, means for rocking .the frame vfor adjusting the position thereof relatively to the draw bar, and a connection directly between a point on the draw bar and spaced from the pivotal connection of the elevator to the frame, the elevator, for

maintaining the elevator substantially in predetermined relation to the draw bar regardless of the rocking of said rocking frame.

2. In a corn picker, a frame comprising a unitary element disposed transversely of the direction of progress oi" the machine, ground engaging elements supporting the frame, a draw bar pivotally connected -to the frame, a plurality of machine units, including a snapping unit, rigidly connected with and supported by said frame in working relation to each other, a bell crank pivotally supported on said draw bar having a substantially horizontal arm and an upwardly extending arm, a 4connection from said substantially horizontally extending arm to said snapping unit for `controlling the latter upon rocking of said bell crank, an adjusting lever mounted on said draw bar and a resiliently yieldable link connecting said adjusting lever with the upwardly extending arm of said bell crank for rocking said bell crank upon adjusting of said adjusting lever.

3. In a corn picker having a plurality of machine units, required to be maintained in predetermined operative relation with each other and including a set of gathering points, a transmission unit and an elevator unit, a frame for said machine comprising a tubular element to which said units are attached, said :tube constituting a `combined frame and axle for said machine and said elevator unit extending rearwardly and being pivotally connected to said frame, ground engaging supporting elements for said tube providing a rolling support for the machine, a drawbar pivotally attached to said tube, means for rocking said tube so as to tilt the entire machine with the exception of the drawbar for raising and lowering said gathering points without disturbing the operating relations between said units, and a connection directly between a point on the draw bar spaced from the pivotal connection of the draw bar to the frame and a point on .the elevator spaced from the pivotal `connection of the elevator to the frame for maintaining the elevator substantially Iin predetermined relation to the drawbar regardless of the rocking of said rocking frame.

KENNETH L. MAGEE. 

